WASHINGTON — Today, President Barack Obama announced the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to serve on the United States Supreme Court. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Judge Garland on his nomination.

“We urge the Senate to hold a fair hearing and a timely vote on the President’s nominee, Judge Garland. It is critical to the stability of our judicial system that the Supreme Court’s vacant seat be filled promptly,” said Jin Y. Hwang, president of NAPABA. “Although we are disappointed that the President missed an opportunity to make history by nominating the first Asian Pacific American to the Supreme Court, we celebrate the fact that Judge Sri Srinivasan was interviewed and vetted for a possible nomination, which represented the first time that an Asian Pacific American has ever been interviewed and put on ‘the short list’ for the Supreme Court.”

NAPABA congratulates Judge Garland and urges the United States Senate to fulfill its constitutional responsibility and proceed with a timely vote to confirm him to the Supreme Court.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or bschuster@napaba.org.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 50,000 attorneys and over 75 national, state, and local bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAPABA engages in legislative and policy advocacy, promotes Asian Pacific American political leadership and political appointments, and builds coalitions within the legal profession and the community at large. NAPABA also serves as a resource for government agencies, members of Congress, and public service organizations about Asian Pacific Americans in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.

NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of color in the legal profession.